Chemical laboratory

Ethyl Acetate

High-Purity Solvent for Industrial & Laboratory Applications

  • CAS 141-78-6
  • Formula C₄H₈O₂
  • Flash Pt -4°C
  • Density 0.900 g/cm³

Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point 77.1°C °C
Flash point -4°C °C
Density 0.900 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility 8.3 g/100 mL at 20°C -
Ph N/A -
Molecular weight 88.11 g/mol g/mol
Melting point -83.6°C °C
Vapor pressure 97 mmHg at 20°C mmHg
Autoignition temp 427°C -
Appearance Clear, colorless liquid -
Odor Sweet, fruity -
Vapor density 3.04 (air = 1) g/cm³

Overview

Ethyl acetate (C₄H₈O₂) is a clear, colorless liquid solvent with a characteristic sweet, fruity odor. This versatile organic compound serves as an essential industrial solvent and laboratory reagent across multiple industries. With its excellent solvency properties, low toxicity profile, and favorable evaporation rate, ethyl acetate has become a preferred choice for manufacturers requiring reliable performance in extraction, cleaning, and formulation applications.

Key Applications

Ethyl acetate excels as an industrial solvent in coatings and adhesive formulations, where its ability to dissolve resins and polymers while maintaining consistent viscosity makes it invaluable for paint and adhesive manufacturers. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it serves as both an extraction solvent for active pharmaceutical ingredients and a reaction medium for synthetic processes. The compound also functions as an effective cleaning agent for removing oils, greases, and organic residues from equipment and surfaces. Additionally, ethyl acetate finds use as a flavoring agent in food applications, contributing to its sweet, fruity notes in various products.

Safety & Handling

Ethyl acetate requires careful handling due to its low flash point of -4°C, making it highly flammable at room temperature. Always store away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames. Ensure adequate ventilation when working with this solvent, as vapors can accumulate and pose inhalation risks. Personal protective equipment should include chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and appropriate respiratory protection when ventilation is insufficient. The autoignition temperature of 427°C provides a safety margin, but proper grounding and bonding procedures must be followed during transfer operations.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store ethyl acetate in tightly sealed containers made of compatible materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, or approved plastics. Maintain storage temperatures below 25°C in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials including strong oxidizers, acids, and bases. The product maintains its quality for extended periods when properly stored, though regular quality testing is recommended for critical applications. Avoid exposure to moisture, which can lead to hydrolysis and formation of acetic acid.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical delivers high-quality Ethyl Acetate with same-day shipping from our Taylor, Texas facility. We offer flexible shipping options including UPS for smaller quantities and LTL/FTL freight for bulk orders. Every shipment includes comprehensive Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to ensure you receive the documentation needed for regulatory compliance and quality assurance.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6) and what is it used for?
Ethyl acetate (C4H8O2, CAS 141-78-6) is a colorless, volatile organic solvent with a fruity odor commonly used for coatings, adhesives, inks, extraction and laboratory chromatography. It is valued for fast evaporation, good solvency for many resins and low toxicity compared with some alternatives.
How should ethyl acetate be stored and what is its typical shelf life?
Store ethyl acetate in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ignition sources in tightly closed original containers and approved flammable storage cabinets. Typical shelf life when sealed and stored properly is about 12–24 months, but check the supplier COA for specific expiry guidance.
What are the key safety and handling precautions for ethyl acetate?
Ethyl acetate is a highly flammable liquid and can cause eye and respiratory irritation; use in well-ventilated areas, eliminate ignition sources, and employ grounding/ bonding during transfers. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles and, if needed, a respirator; consult the SDS for first-aid and spill response procedures.
How do different concentrations and grades of ethyl acetate affect performance?
Grades vary by purity and water content—industrial/technical grades are lower cost with higher impurities, while reagent, ACS and HPLC grades have tighter purity and low water for analytical work. Anhydrous or low-water grades are required for moisture-sensitive processes because water content can affect reactions and extraction efficiency.
What documentation is available when purchasing ethyl acetate?
Suppliers typically provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and often chromatograms or purity certificates on request. Regulatory documents (REACH, TSCA status) and shipping papers can also be supplied where applicable.
What are the shipping classification and typical packaging options for ethyl acetate?
Ethyl acetate ships as UN 1173, Class 3 (flammable liquid) under ADR/IMDG/IATA regulations and must be packed accordingly. Common packaging includes drums, IBCs/totes and bulk tankers, with smaller lab bottles available for analytical grades.
Which materials are compatible or incompatible with ethyl acetate?
Ethyl acetate is compatible with glass, stainless steel and PTFE-lined equipment but can swell or dissolve many elastomers and plastics such as natural rubber, PVC, polystyrene and some polycarbonates. Use chemically resistant materials and consult compatibility charts for seals, gaskets and storage containers.
What are the key technical specifications for ethyl acetate I should know?
Typical specifications include formula C4H8O2, molar mass 88.11 g·mol−1, boiling point ~77.1 °C, melting point ~-83.6 °C, density ~0.902 g·mL−1 at 20 °C, water solubility ~8.3 g/100 mL (20 °C) and flash point about -4 °C (closed cup). Exact values and impurity limits depend on grade and are listed on the COA.
Which industries and applications commonly use ethyl acetate?
Ethyl acetate is widely used in paints and coatings, adhesives, printing inks, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing, and laboratory extraction and chromatography. Its fast evaporation and good solvency make it a common choice for surface coatings, solvent-based formulations and analytical workflows.
How can I purchase ethyl acetate and what availability options exist?
Ethyl acetate is available worldwide in various grades and pack sizes from laboratory bottles to bulk tanker loads; contact suppliers for quotes, lead times and minimum order quantities. Ask the supplier for COA, SDS and regulatory compliance documents to match the required grade and application.

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